Biting off more than you can chew

The caretaker was indebted to Fangsu so he willingly gave a copy of the records. The caretaker was lanky and thin, freckles were peppered all over his face, and he had very plain, "The caretaker is called Sun Wu Song, may I know of the young miss's name?" The nervous caretaker had a temperament of a mouse, scared and extremely tender

Fangsu took the notebook, looking at the detailed notes about the beast. Records of symptoms, daily records of the beast's action, diets, previous diagnosis and routine of care, "This lady is called Chen Fangsu," Fangsu introduces herself as she curtsied. Everything seems normal judging from the detailed notes, "Does everyone keep a journal on the beast's health?" Fangsu held the caretaker in high regard having put so much detail to record almost every detail.

The caretaker shook his head, "I'm afraid, I'm the only one who keeps a detailed record." He began touring the facilities for Fangsu so that she could familiarise herself with the area assuming that she would work here, "I'm glad that someone my age is going to work here." The caretaker was quite thrilled to have Fangsu here.

Fangsu was confused, "You mean you are the only young person here?" Asking the caretaker, who nodded in response.

Fangsu held the journal in her hand, "I will look over the notes tonight and I will come here tomorrow morning." Leaving the caretaker to continue the day's work.

Fangsu felt an uncomfortable queasy feeling that she would possibly face the consequences. This was more than she could chew on. Already working as a boss for Flowery Fragrance was stressful enough let she basically dig her grave by being forced to cure a crazed beast with no means of cultivation to defend herself. The banquet was now filled as the males had just returned. Seeing her grandpa, Fangsu depressingly clung onto her grandpa's sleeves, "Grandpa I think I have dug myself my grave." Her soul was ready to leave at any given moment.

The grandpa was extremely worried about Fangsu as she probably fell in someone's trap, "Fangsu did something happen while I was gone?" Question Fangsu whose lips were quivering.

Fangsu grabbed her grandpa's sleeve, "It's best that I tell you after we leave to the Banquet." Fearing that her grandpa would unleash his fury to wreck everything in his path. Her grandpa was stunned. This was a serious problem that Fangsu would say that. Both the grandpa and granddaughter pair silently sat but in the tent with depressive aura around them. Lady Meng, Li Mo and Biyu were worried about the pair who kept quiet despite the festive mood, but the Empress Dowager knew what had happened as she had someone follow Fangsu and naturally told Lady Meng.

Fangsu was quite distraught about how things proceed. Lady Meng moved closer to Fangsu, "Fangsu, dear, the Royal Court is a nasty place and people will use their authority to trap you." Lady Meng advice rang into Fangsu's ear who could barely hear anything, "After this incident, I hope you can avoid troublesome people as much as possible." Those words enforced Fangsu's bitter feelings towards everything in the capital.

Fangsu released an extremely loud sigh, "It is so tiring," Turning to her grandpa who was anxiously sitting in his seat, "Grandpa I will need Wen Cheng to cover me until Spring." Fangsu clenched her hands together as a dark expression of annoyance and anger began forming which surprised that Fangsu's grandpa had never seen Fangsu very angry. Well, he had seen her angry at trivial things with her sister but not this type of angry. But, that expression annoyance soon quickly disappeared because Biyu and Li Mo and a happy expression were replaced.

The Banquet soon ended and Fangsu shifted back to her nonchalant personality as they returned back home. Both Fangsu and her grandpa sat on opposite ends of the table, "What did you get yourself into?" Fangsu's grandpa was quite nervous to hear what trouble has ensued at the feminine art banquet.

Fangsu deeply breathes and slowly releasing it, "The Empress wanted to imprison a caretaker and I save him," The mention of the Empress caused the Fangsu's grandpa to clenched his fist, "She had tasked me to cure her mount by Spring otherwise the caretaker and I will be imprisoned." Fangsu averted her gaze from grandpa who was staring at her. They were meant to keep a low profile but Fangsu had made such a careless mistake which brought unwanted attention on the Chen family.

Fangsu's grandpa pinched his nose bridge, releasing a deep breath. "Fangsu do you understand the consequence of getting involved with the active members of the Imperial family and those who are associated with them?" Fangsu's grandpa needed to scold Fangsu. This was no laughing matter. This would bring the end of the Chen lineage and the entire botany word with them.

Fangsu nodded her head, "I didn't think ahead," Sulking Fangsu bowed her head with guilt, "I'm sorry." Knowing full well her grandpa was trying to protect her but because of her mistake, she was put in the limelight which would limit the amount of protection her grandpa could give.

But, Fangsu's grandpa couldn't put the entire fault on Fangsu as she wasn't raised in an environment with traps, deceit and humiliation. Underestimating the severity of how cruel the society in which nobles live in is a grave mistake. Fangsu's grandpa patted her head, ruffling her hair, "Don't forget you have resources at your disposal," Removing and folding the outer ceremonial robes, "You can use them," Fangsu's grandpa left Fangsu to retire to his sleeping chambers.

Fangsu changed into her nightwear and began reading the journal thoroughly to get some background knowledge. Taking out her own book which was filled to the brim with notes of all the plants she had experience with or have experimented with them.

Fangsu began rummaging through notes of both books before writing into another book for a possible diagnosis. As she wrote multiple diagnoses for the possibility of curing the beast, but the Empress's face flashed through Fangsu's mind, causing Fangsu to stop. "Ming Yue, can you investigate the background of the Empress for me?" Fangsu called out and Ming Yue saluted before disappearing off.

As Fangsu continue to write notes, one of the kittens came jumping on the table, nudging its head against Fangsu's hand. To Fangsu it was like the cat was trying to lift her spirits. Patting the soft fur of the cute kitten, "Huan, that will be your new name," Fangsu smoothed out any defiant hairs that stuck up and scratching the base of the ears which cause Huan to purr happily, "Huan, I want to go back to the past where life was so much easier," Fangsu carried Huan into her arms and sat at her window sill, placing Huan on her lap.

Chuckles erupted from Fangsu lips as tears ran down. Fangsu could only laugh at herself for thinking of going back to somewhere that was now a graveyard of her mother, sisters and wet nurse. Huan meowed at Fangsu who smiled at the young kitten who began licking Fangsu's fingers in an attempt to make Fangsu happy. It was endearing. Tian also came to Fangsu's window nudging Fangsu who began gently scratching Tian's muzzle. Waving her hand in the air creating an insignia of a magnolia flower, summoning Bai Xue.

Fangsu jumped out of the window walking to the backyard where all the plants seem to give off an ethereal glow, she leaned against the trunk of the trees. Both Tian and Bai Xue surrounded while Huan sat comfortably in Fangsu's lap eventually falling asleep. Fangsu leaned against Tian's body and patted the smooth scales of Bai Cue who nuzzled Fangsu's hand. Rubbing her sore eyes, Fangsu stared at the animals that surrounded her, "Why is it so much easier to be animals than be with other humans?" The question was related to the fact Fangsu had a hard time connecting with other people and resorting to finding comfort in the animals in her life. To Fangsu it was quite difficult to be around other people as she couldn't tell from lies from truths.

Eventually, Fangsu eyelids began feeling heavy and she eventually succumbed to sleep. The warmth of the animals surrounding Fangsu kept her from getting sick from the winter cold.

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Fangsu wore a more practical outfit for animal handling. Fangsu packed everything into a bag that would be useful for treating the Black Mirage Leopard, even some extra hair dye in case of an accident that could occur. Tian was once again excited to run again, neighing happily as Fangsu took him out of the Chen household. Upon mounting Tian, Fangsu's grandpa has Fangsu three wooden tablets, Protection Barrier, it was a powerful magical tool that could protect Fangsu from powerful attacks, "Fangsu, please be careful while you are in the Imperial Palace." He places the wooden tablets in Fangsu's hand, closing them. Leaving without another word, Fangsu's grandpa left for Flowery Fragrance.

Fangsu stared at her grandpa's back clenching the wooden tablets before placing them in her robes for quick access. Trotting through the path towards the Imperial Palace, Fangsu was quickly escorted by some palace servants towards the caretaker workspace. A number of caretakers rushed around, archiving behaviour patterns, cleaning and maintenance of the artificial habitat. Fangsu also rushed to help the other caretaker who appreciated the additional help as they were understaffed. It was the feeding time of the Black Mirage Leopard but no one was brave enough to feed the magical beast after what happened yesterday. Wu Song took the initiative to feed the magical beast when no one else did, but he was also fearful for his life.

As Wu Song was able to enter the barrier, "Wait! I will go too!" Fangsu was holding a black cloth, two mask and some greenish incenses. Wu Song let out a breath of relief seeing that Fangsu would come, but the items in Fangsu's hands confused him greatly. Reaching into her robe, Fangsu have Wu Song a Protection Barrier wooden tablet, "Break this if your life is in danger," Fangsu's gesture of kindness made Wu Song more indebted to her for saving his life.

As he stared at the wooden tablet in confusion, but once he saw the intricate markings on it. His eyes widen as he stared between the wooden tablet and Fangsu. "How do you have this?" Wu Song questioned Fangsu knowing that these wooden tablets were incredibly powerful but it was also incredibly rare to obtain them. This magical item was by no means easy to get as these wooden tablets can only be found in treasure hunting grounds.

Fangsu was naturally confused by Wu Song question, "I don't know," Fangsu ties up her hair into a ponytail to give her full vision and tying a small bag at her hip, "My grandpa gave them to me." Fangsu signalled the caretaker to partially open the barrier for Wu Song and her to enter. The sheer size of the artificial habitat was amazing and it could be enough to house another three more. After admiring the size of the habit, Fangsu stopped Wu Song from proceeding through the normal feed routine.

Fangsu handed a mask for Wu Song to wear who confusedly wore the mask as Fangsu placed the green incense into an incense holder, lighting them up. The smoke soon began wafting in the air throughout the artificial habitat and the Black Mirage Leopard began stalking out for the strange and unwelcome smell. The leopard began surveilling the area to find the source of the scent. Fangsu pushed Wu Song away from the leopard's peripheral vision, hiding into the bushes. Wu Song, however, was confused by Fangsu's actions and did not understand the purposes of such, "Why are we waiting here in the bushes?" Wu Song takes to get a glimpse of the leopard but Fangsu pushes him back under the cover of the bushes, "Can't we just put the meat there and run away?" Wu Song was due to the usual routine where the other caretakers would just place the beast's meal on the ground and run away. But, recently the beast has been ignored the meal to chase the caretakers.

Fangsu covered Wu Song's mouth. She patiently waited for the incense effect of inducing sleep to affect the leopard. The leopard was now starting to get lethargic and soon it was trying starting to shake its head to keep awake. Fangsu began moving towards the leopard with the black cloth in hand but keeping her guard up in case of any sudden attack from the leopard. Gesturing for Wu Song to place the meat in the feeding place. Fangsu, on the other hand, swiftly tied the black cloth over the leopard eyes but the sudden darkness caused the leopard to roar in anger and swiped at Fangsu. The leopard tried to take off the blindfold and found it was futile. Without the use of eyesight the leopard tried to swipe the area in front of itself, but eventually, used its sense of hearing to find the intruder.

Fangsu used her hands to gesture Wu Song out of the artificial habitat, but the leopard could hear Fangsu against the habitat environment. With its now super enhanced hearing, the leopard pounced at Fangsu. Seeing that the incense wasn't that effective, Fangsu jumped at the leopard, quickly slithered on top of the leopard's back. Fangsu took out a porcelain bottle out from the small bag that she tied on her hip. Dousing a cloth with liquid inside the bottle and wrapping it around the leopard's mouth. As the leopard was hysterically trying to shake Fangsu off it's back. Fangsu in their other hand was hanging on to the leopard's back for dear life trying to hold the doused cloth onto leopard's mouth and nose.

After a few minutes of riding the leopard, Fangsu was starting to get affected by the medicine that she was using on the leopard and her limbs started to shakily hold onto the leopard. But, eventually, Fangsu's energy was soon sapped away from her and she slipped off the leopard's back, slamming into the ground.